The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 752 - 752 348 Truth (Second Update)

Chapter 752: 348 Truth (Second Update) Chapter 752: 348 Truth (Second Update) Meanwhile, Concubine Zhuang managed to gain an audience with Empress Dowager Zhuang of the Renshou Palace.

Excitedly, she said, “Aunt, you did it, didn’t you? I knew it! I knew you had the ability to fool the Emperor! This move is called ‘surprise and conquer’! Empress Jing thought she could bother you by moving back to the palace, but she didn’t expect you to be one step ahead and reconcile with the Emperor just by taking some action! Why didn’t you do this sooner, Aunt?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang looked at her expressionlessly.

Concubine Zhuang shrank her neck, feeling a chill in her heart, and mumbled, “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong? The palace is buzzing with the news that Zhang Xiu was the one who poisoned Xiao Hen. How did you think of framing Zhang Xiu, Aunt? Zhang Xiu is the Emperor’s man, and you can’t command her. You’ve washed off the suspicion cleanly!”

“Are you finished?” Empress Dowager Zhuang said indifferently. “I need to read the memorials.”

Concubine Zhuang pouted, curtsied, and left.

The news of Zhang Xiu poisoning Xiao Hen spread rapidly, and soon the whole palace came to know about the true culprit of Xiao Hen’s murder. The Emperor had misunderstood the Empress Dowager for many years and now that the truth is out, him taking the initiative to reconcile with the Empress Dowager seems plausible.

Admittedly, some thought this was the Emperor’s blinding technique: ostensibly revealing his remorse and devotion to the Empress Dowager through the Zhang Xiu incident, when in actuality he was attempting to lull her into a false sense of security and closer to him to gain her trust, leaving her unprepared for a potential future attack.

After sitting for a while in Huaqing Palace, Empress Xiao returned to Kunning Palace to take care of Qin Chuyu.

The Emperor looked at Empress Jing, “How is Mother’s injury?”

Empress Jing smiled and said softly, “It’s not serious.”

The Emperor’s expression remained stern. “The Imperial Physician said that Mother still needs careful nursing. The medicine must be administered every day without neglect. Cai Mama, you must take good care of Mother.”

“Yes,” Cai Mama respectfully agreed.

The Emperor responded with a hum and said to Empress Jing, “I’m off to the Imperial Study Room. If Mother finds Huaqing Palace stuffy, go take a walk in the Imperial Garden. The Imperial Physician said staying indoors all the time is not good for healing.”

“Your Majesty need not worry about me. With your imperial aura protecting me, my health is good. But Your Majesty…” Empress Jing’s gaze fell on his slightly haggard face, “Your Majesty looks tired. Have you been reviewing memorials all night again?”

The Emperor dismissed her concern with a laugh, “There have been heavy rains in many regions recently. The disaster is serious, hence, I have no choice but to deal with more memorials.”

Empress Jing held his hand and earnestly advised, “You must still take care of your imperial health.”

The Emperor patted the back of Empress Jing’s hand, smiling, “I will be careful.”

With her expression softened, Empress Jing seemed to remember something and asked, “Are you using the Calming Incense that Cai Mama gave you?”

“Yes,” the Emperor replied.

“Is it comfortable?” Empress Jing asked.

The Emperor sketched a smile, “The fragrances you personally prepare are indeed pleasant to use.”

After comforting Empress Jing for a while, he rose to leave for the Imperial Study Room.

He didn’t come to have lunch with Empress Jing at noon, instead, he ate in the Imperial Study Room.

Eunuch Wei went to the Imperial Kitchen and ordered the cook to prepare a few tasty dishes – not too many.

The Emperor used to eat in style, but ever since he lived in Bishui Alley, he had drastically simplified his three meals a day.

Eunuch Wei came out of the Imperial Study Room and returned to Huaqing Palace once more to fetch some memorials that were left in the small study the night before.

As he left the small study, he bumped into Empress Jing and Cai Mama.

“Empress Jing,” Eunuch Wei, holding the memorials, bowed in respect.

Cai Mama returned the nod.

He also nodded in return.

According to rank, he was above Cai Mama, but the palace doesn’t operate on the basis of rank alone, and since the Emperor deeply respected Empress Jing, her rise meant a rise in status for her affiliates too.

Empress Jing gazed at him kindly, “Eunuch Wei, how many years have you been serving the Emperor?”

Eunuch Wei answered promptly, almost immediately, “I’ve been with the Emperor since he was fourteen years old. It’s been thirty years now.”

Empress Jing nodded, “Do you remember who it was that selected you to serve the Emperor in the first place?”

Eunuch Wei was slightly taken aback, not understanding why Empress Jing would suddenly ask this. He truthfully replied, “It was you, Empress Jing.”

Empress Jing stared at him, “Can I trust you then?”

She referred to herself as “I.”

Eunuch Wei turned solemn, holding the memorials tightly with one hand; he kneeled with the other hand lifting his lower hem, “Empress Jing, I am prepared to die following your orders!”

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